Flames Set To Take On Defending National Champions Tonight In Gainesville

Liberty University is set to take on the defending national champion Florida Gators at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center tonight at 6 p.m. EST. The Gators are currently ranked third in the nation and will bring a 12-2 record into the contest.

"This game is a big time college basketball experience for our players," said head coach Randy Dunton. "To have the opportunity to compete against a returning national championship team is going to generate special memories for their life."

Senior Larry Blair has registered special games against ranked teams. Last season against seventh-ranked Kentucky Blair scored 26 points on 10-of-25 shooting. As a sophomore Blair scored 30 points on 13-of-21 shooting at number 23-ranked Maryland as well as scoring 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting at number 10-ranked N.C. State. Rounding out Blair's top performances against ranked programs was his 17 point effort on 7-of-12 shooting at number five-ranked Arizona as a freshman.

"The exposure within our Liberty University alumni, supporters and families in Florida has generated many calls and emails wishing us well," said Dunton. "The talent of this Florida team is awesome, but we are preparing to win as many possessions and execute against the best."

Tonight's game will be televised on FSN Sun Sports and will be picked up by ESPN's Full Court channel.